Munster produced a hugely disappointing display as they fell to their second GUINNESS PRO12 defeat in the space of a week, going down 22-6 to a superior Newport Gwent Dragons side at Rodney Parade.
Anthony Foley’s men were second best today with the Dragons out-half and man-of-the-match Dorian Jones kicking 14 points and influential lock Rynard Landman crossing for the game’s only try three minutes from the end.
On the back of last week’s disappointing derby reversal by Connacht, this was a very forgettable outing for Munster and the result will dent their confidence ahead of next Saturday’s Champions Cup showdown with Leicester Tigers at Thomond Park.
Niall and Rory Scannell, lining out at hooker and out-half, became the first brothers to start together for the province in the PRO12. Munster’s back-line included two Academy players with Rory joined by David Johnston in the starting line-up. Back rower Shane Buckley (pictured below) made his first start of the season, while Denis Hurley took over the captaincy duties.
It was 6-6 at the break despite both sides having try-scoring chances in the first half. The Dragons started well and within two minutes were ahead through the boot of Jones. However, the hosts were next to infringe and Rory Scannell kicked Munster level in the 13th minute with his own penalty attempt.
Munster’s two missed try-scoring opportunities came by way of Simon Zebo (pictured below) and Lucas Gonzalez Amorosino. The Ireland international was denied a try in the 22nd minute after he was pinged for a double movement when Tom Prydie tackled him just inches from the line.
Then Tomas O’Leary and Hurley combined to put Rory Scannell through a gap and with the young number 10 offloading to Ronan O’Mahony, it was the final phase that saw full-back Gonzalez Amorosino unable to ground the ball.
The attacking threat and momentum shifted in favour of the Welshmen and with ten minutes left before the interval, Jones sent over his second penalty kick after Munster were penalised for side entry.
Then it was Carl Meyer who almost got over in the left corner, only for a last-ditch try-saving tackle from Zebo on the Dragons full-back. Munster did have the final say before referee Gary Conway’s half-time whistle, as Rory Scannell drew them level after the Dragons were pinged for offside.
But that was to be the final score for the province with the fired-up Welsh outfit keeping Foley’s error-strewn charges scoreless during the closing 40 minutes.
Jones kicked a huge drop goal three minutes in, while Munster missed a penalty chance when Kiwi replacement Tyler Bleyendaal assumed the kicking duties.
Jones then missed a place-kick of his own just past the hour mark, but the number 10 was back on target with his next attempt and a successful third penalty for his side extended the lead to 12-6 with a quarter of an hour remaining.
As Munster struggled to respond and the Dragons built for a strong finish, the visitors were denied any points from this round 9 encounter when Zebo missed out on an intercept out wide and Landman took advantage of three missed tackles to cross to the right of the posts.
It was a deserved score for the big South African who was a dominant force for the Dragons up front, and Jason Tovey’s late penalty sealed a well-judged 16-point win for the hosts.
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